Hazel "Cissi" Lanier
July 15, 1930 ~ October 7, 2020
Hazel Nell (Cissi) Lanier
Cissi Lanier, age 90, of Linden, TX departed her life on Earth on Wednesday, October 7th. Cissi passed peacefully surrounded by her large and loving family after a brief illness. Cissi was born in Wills Point, TX to Hazel and Nelson Hargrove on July 15, 1930. Cissi had lifelong friends from Wills Point including her special group, The Five Roses and a Thorn (Cissi was the Thorn). Cissi married the love of her life, Tom Lanier in October, 1951. Tom was a dashing War hero who attended Texas A&M University and Cissi and Tom attended the A&M vs Baylor football game for their honeymoon. Tom and Cissi settled in Linden where Tom owned the local Chevrolet dealership and Cissi ran the household. Cissi and Tom raised five children in Linden and made many wonderful friends. Cissi was well known in Linden and Cass County for her genuine love, kindness, and charm by everyone she met. She was also known by her affectionate name, “Honey”, to her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Among other honors, Cissi was the first female recognized by the Linden Chamber as Citizen of the Year. She was also an active Den Mother, Girl Scout Leader, founding member of the Linden Garden Club, faithful member of the Linden United Methodist Church, Sunshine Sunday School Class, Linden Hospital Auxiliary, and American Cancer Society. She was also the washboard player in the well known local band, The Five Slows. After Tom’s passing, she became a member of “The Coffee Ladies” who hold their daily coffee breaks at Crump’s Grocery.
Cissi was preceded in death by her loving husband, Tom in 2011, and her brother, Nelson (Bud) Hargrove. Cissi is survived by her children, Lesa Lanier Lovett (Jeff), Denise Mahan (Mike), Frank Lanier (Judy), Dana Boland (Gary), and Glenn Lanier (Melissa). She is also survived by five grandchildren, Tommy Lanier, Lauren Lanier, Bradly Lanier, Michael Mahan, and LaShay Ebarb. Additionally there are fourteen great grandchildren.
Graveside services will be on Friday, October 9th, at 2 PM at the Linden Cemetery with Reverend Kelly Krone and Dr. Judy Lanier officiating.
Memorials may be made to the Linden United Methodist Church, the Linden Cemetery Association, or the charity of your choice.
Family has requested that mask be worn to the service.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Mrs Cissi was a very Sweet Lady and will be missed by all the people in Linden !
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and many friends during these most difficult days. What a life well lived in service to her God, Family and so many others as long as she was able. Rejoice in your precious memories.
My condolences on the passing of Miss Cissie. She was a great lady. Always had a smile o. Her face. She will be greatly missed. May God wrap you in his arms during this time. Remember the memories
My heart breaks for the huge hole Cissi's passing will leave in your lives, but I'm so blessed that I knew her like a second mom. She was a special lady and I loved her very much. God bless.
So sorry about Ms Lanier, she was such a sweet lady
Lisa, Denise, Dana, Frank and Glenn. My Prayers are with you. I can tell you that Time will be your best Friend. Time to reflect on all the beautiful memories of your Mother. God Bless! I remember her traveling with the Band and being active in the Booster club.
Tuba Player
My condolences to the family.
I am so sorry to hear about Mrs. Cissi. She was always so kind to me and I loved her hugs! Many prayers to you all at this time. Love from Danny and I ??
Sending Our Deepest Sympathy to all the Family.
Sorry to hear of your loss. Ms. Lanier was always a joy to be around. She will be missed.
Praying for family.
Cissie was one of the sweetest & most genuine people I have ever known. She will be greatly missed by anyone that knew her.
Rest In Peace my dear friend.
Ms Cissi was one of the two ladies in Linden that qualify for being a Saint . I will truly miss her smile and hugs …. Prayers for the family
Prayers and condolences to you all. I know you will each miss her dearly. Cherish the memories knowing she and your dad are together again.
David, Katressa, Cody and Lauren May
To the Lanier family, the deepest sympathy for your loss. Cissie & Tom, like many of the "Greatest Generation", worked as a team to build Linden to what we, their children, fondly recall. A legacy is what you leave behind. For Cissie, it was all good.
Ms. Cissy was one of the sweetest ladies I have every known. She always had a smile and made you confortable. She will certainly be missed. Good memories till we meet again. Prayers for the family.
Ms Cissi was one of the two ladies in Linden that qualify for being a Saint . I will truly miss her smile and hugs …. Prayers for the family
Praying for all of you
I am so sorry to hear of Cissi’s death. She was.a special lady ,a wonderful friend and a loving mother.
My condolences,
Beth Parker Crawford
Ms Cissi was one of the two ladies in Linden that qualify for being a Saint . I will truly miss her smile and hugs …. Prayers for the family
Ms. Cissy was one of the sweetest ladies I have every known. She always had a smile and made you comfortable. She will certainly be missed. Good memories till we meet again. Prayers for the family.
Thank you,
Rodney G Love
I am so sorry -What a wonderful lady. I know you will miss her so much. I still find myself picking up the phone to call Mother. I also know that your dad is so happy they are together again. May you be comforted by sweet, sweet memories.
SHIRLEY and Edd Hargett
Miss Cissi was such a blessing to all of us in Linden, Thank you for sharing , I know how much you all will miss her but know We will too. She loved Linden, the parades, downtown activities. Ball games and Christmas. Linden will miss her smiling face.
A beautiful and sweet lady,prayers for all
We are so sorry to hear of your mother's passing. She was a wonderful lady who will be greatly missed. May God bless and comfort you as only he can. Our prayers are with you. Dane, Rosia and family
Dear Frank, Judy and all the Lanier family, I'm so sorry that your Mom has passed. May the Lord give you comfort and strength. You all will be in my heart and prayers.
Miss Cissi was a wonderful person.i was privileged to know her.
My deepest sympathy to the Lanier family. Your mother was a very special lady,
loved and admired by so many. She will me missed very much.
To all of you , my heart is with you . Aunt Cissy meant the world to us , we love you …. hugs
One of our favorite ladies and a Linden icon has flown away … we will always miss her smile and her hugs.
Lesa-we are so saddened to learn of the passing of your mom. Though we had never met her in person, we loved hearing stories you and Jeff told about her. She raised a lot of great kids who rallied around her when she needed them, and did not waver in their commitment. That alone says how great of a person she truly was. Please know our thoughts are with you and your family.
She was one of the sweetest ladies I have known and always beautiful!
My deepest condolences to the Lanier family. Your mother was a wonderful lady and loved by so many. She will be greatly missed by our community.
Mrs. Lanier was a Linden icon..saw her often at her coffee group with the other sweet Linden ladies. May God provide HIs comfort to all the family and friends. Mary Echols
Cissi was one of the sweetest & most genuine people I have ever known. She will be greatly missed by anyone that knew her. Rest In Peace my dear friend.
Thank you,
Ronnie & Jackie Clayton
I will miss seeing her whenever I come to Linden, and I know the city is better because she lived there. My thoughts are with the family. Thank you so much for sharing her with the rest of us.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. May your memories bring strength and comfort during these difficult days. Cissi was a special lady and friend.
Frank and to the rest of the family, I am sorry to hear about the passing of your mom. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all.
To all the family, Ms Cissi was dear to us. She always made you feel special and that was so meaningful and such a gift. Actually I can remember feeling that she had such a special gift . She called us after we moved just to check to see how we were doing and to tell us she missed us. And we think so much of all of you guys and miss Mr Tom as well. I believe we are reunited. Blessings to you all. Jim and Amanda
I'm so sorry to hear of Mrs. Cissi's passing. I will always remember her smile. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
I have so many memories of Cissi working with the church and band. She was a legend who will not be forgotten. All of you are in my prayers and thoughts at this time.
So very sorry, Frank & Judy. What a lovely photo of her and sweet tribute. You are in my prayers.
Someone connected to the Lanier family in Linden, TX sent a DNA sample into Ancestry.com. over a year ago, I sent in my DNA sample also. I am a cousin to him and I know about his mother and his three sisters. His code name was E.M. managed by judymc_pag. He was born in Texarkana about 1941 with a false birth certificate. We want to meet him. They have not signed into ancestry.com in over a year and are not getting our messages.
Please pass my message to them to see if someone knows what I am talking about. I live in New Boston.
Thank you so much.
Frances Poer Fox
prayers from tommygail,anna and family
When I directed Day Camp for the Girl Scouts for the girls in Atlanta, Linden, and Hughes Springs, I found a dear friend named Cissi Lanier. She will be missed.
Ms. Cissi was such a sweetie. I always thought of her kindness and the overwhelming love for her family.
I love you, Honey. Always and forever.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you all in this loss.
We miss you, but are comforted in knowing that you are resting with the Lord and reunited with Gigi. It is not goodbye, and may God be with us until we meet again. We love you, Honey!
I just learned of Cissi's passing. She was such a lovely lady, and I admired her greatly.
My deepest sympathies go out to the family. Miss Cissi will be dearly missed.
I just learned of Cissi's passing. She was such a lovely lady, and I admired her greatly. My deepest sympathies go out to the family. Miss Cissi will be dearly missed.
Thank you,
Ronnie Brannon
Condolences to the Lanier family in the loss of your beautiful mother. I remember the first time I met her. I was only four or five when she and Tom came to our house for dinner. Prayers for all of you as you remember the good times you shared with her. God bless you.